The Suspended in Dusk 2 anthology was picked up by a new publisher, Grey Matter Press. As with part 1 of the series, Suspended in Dusk 2 is anthology of horror and dark fiction that continues examines themes of change and the moments between the light and the dark.

I’m very thrilled to announce that January 2018 will see the publication of Suspended in Dusk 2.

Just check out this sexy terrifying cover, created by the incredibly talented Dean Samed:

The book features and fantastic introduction from British Fantasy Award and World Fantasy award winning author Angela Slatter, in addition to 17 stories from some of the best horror and dark fiction writers today.

I’ve been waiting for a while release the table of contents for Suspended in Dusk 2 but all the contracts are in and my hands have been unshackled. There were a couple of changes to the line up. Unfortunately, Mercedes Yardley and Nikki Guerlain wont be joining us due to other commitments. I do very much hope to work with them both soon on future projects. As sad as that is, there are some fantastic new additions to the line up whose work I am thrilled to be including in the anthology.

So, without further ado, and in no particular order,…

Suspended in Dusk 2 – Table of Contents

Introduction by Angela Slatter

Deadman’s Road by Joe R. Lansdale

The Mournful Cry of Owls by Christopher Golden

The Immortal Dead by JC Michael

That Damned Cat by Nerine Dorman

Another World by Ramsey Campbell

Angeline by Karen Runge

Mother of Shadows by Benjamin Knox

Love is a Cavity I Can’t Stop Touching by Stephen Graham Jones

Crying Demon by Alan Baxter

The Sundowners by Damien Angelica Walters

Still Life with Natalie by Sarah Read

Riptide by Dan Rabarts

Dealing in Shadows by Annie Neugebauer

There’s no light between floors by Paul Tremblay

Editing continues apace and I’m looking forward to receiving some cover art soon, which I’ll no doubt share in due course!

This book features a few Easter eggs for readers too:

Mother of Shadows by Benjamin Knox is a continuation of the story from the original Suspended in Dusk anthology, A Keeper of Secrets. Ben and I worked hard to ensure it reads very fine as its own standalone tale, but readers of the first anthology should be enjoy the continuation of this story.

In what is becoming a Suspended in Dusk tradition, I’ve included a story which is dark yet also quite humorous, Nerine Dorman’s That Damned Cat.

Lastly, there are several fantastic art pieces by the incredibly talented artist Aaron Dries, which will appear exclusively in the paperback version of the anthology.

I am very happy with how this book is shaping up and I know there will be something for all horror readers and readers of dark fiction within these pages.

I’m here to drip feed you some exciting news regarding Suspended in Dusk 2 (forthcoming from Books of the Dead Press, mid 2016). The open submission period for 2 spots in the table of contents closes tomorrow and so I’ve yet to choose those particular stories, but I can confirm the following authors will feature stories in Suspended in Dusk 2:

Much to my delight, the anthology will be introduced by the British Fantasy Award and World Fantasy Award winning author, Angela Slatter.

In addition, the paperback edition of Suspended in Dusk 2 will feature 5 interior illustrations by the seriously talented artist of the macabre, Aaron Dries. I’ve just received Aaron’s illustration of Stephen Graham Jones’ story in my inbox and I’m really blown away. If all goes to plan I’ll share one of the images on my blog before the book goes to print so you can get a peek at what’s in store.

Final announcement regarding the stories chosen from the open submission will be made by the end of March 2016. In addition, any other tricks I have up my sleeve will be announced at the same time.

This year, for the 7th annual Women In Horror Month, I’ve committed too doing a bunch of interviews with cool ladies from the horror community who either write or edit horror fiction. For more news, interviews, and WiHM related shenanigans, check out http://www.womeninhorrormonth.com

First up is my long time friend, South African author and editor, Nerine Dorman. I highly encourage you to check out her work, both her writing and her edited works.

NERINE DORMAN

Q. Tell us a little about yourself and your background?

In short, I’m a South African creative who dabbles in writing, design, music and art. Somewhere along the line I happen to make money from all these skills and a combination thereof. Oh, and I edit too. Actually, that’s probably the mad skill I’m best known for. I live in the far south peninsula of the Western Cape, which means if you look at a map of Africa, it’s that little dangly bit at the bottom that looks like a little willy. I’m right there at the point. [laughs]

Q. What draws you to horror generally, and was there a defining moment where you something mad you think “Fuck it, I’m writing a horror story!”?

Basically my writing just happens. I *am* influenced by horror (especially my short fiction), but tend to mix and match as I see fit. I could say I write fantasy with horror elements for some stories, but then might end up writing SF the next or straight-up horror the next. It really depends on what mood I’m in and whether I’m writing for a specific editor or publication in mind. To be honest, I find this need to pigeonhole authors to be limiting. So far as genres go, I love dark fiction, especially when dished up with some sly, snarky humour too.

Q. What is your favourite horror story and what about it specifically rustled your jimmies?

I was about 12 when I didn’t finish Stephen King’s Pet Sematary. That story scared the living bejebus out of me – specifically the part where the protagonist wakes up in the middle of the night to see the recently deceased jogger standing by his bed. When he wakes properly the following morning, he thinks it’s all been a bad dream – until he sees that his feet are dirty – and that’s when he realises that his nocturnal wanderings were all too real. So, that time when dreams and reality blend, and you can’t tell what’s real, or when you know something bad is going to happen, and you’re yelling at the protagonist “No! Don’t you dare bury the child there! You know it’s not going to end well!” Yup, that story scared me plenty.

Q. What have you written? And what is your personal favourite of your own work?

I’ve written a bunch of stuff, but if I’m put on a spot I’ll tell folks to go pick up a copy of Dawn’s Bright Talons, which is a fantasy novel involving vampires in a kinda pseudo-Victorian setting in the same (ahem) vein as Anne Rice. Otherwise, if short fiction is more their thing, my anthology, Lost Children, might tickle them – there’s a nice little cross section of my work there. I’m also particularly proud of having sold stories into Storm Constantine’s Wraeththu Mythos anthologies. Para Kindred is available, but the Para Animalia collection is due out soon. Then, I was also honoured to be part of the ToC for Clive Barker’s Midian Unmade anthology brought out by Tor recently.

Q. Do you have a favourite form or media for story telling? E.g Short story, Novel, Audio drama or podcast, audiobook

I love writing serial fiction, and have two stories running over at Archive of Our Own and Fanfiction.net (writing as OnyxDrake9 and OnyxDrake respectively). Yes, I love fanfiction. It’s lots of fun and it’s a good way to flex creative muscles without the pressure to succeed (and I totally encourage folks to practice their mad writing skills there). Novels require a great investment, and I try to have at least one novel-length work on the boil, but it’s short fiction that I’m focusing on because there’s a faster turnaround. It’s a whole different beast where you have to focus on telling a story in a limited amount of words.

Q. What are you working on at the minute?

Currently, I’ve got a Wraeththu Mythos novel in the pipeline for Storm Constantine. This has been a bucket list item for years, which I’m taking advantage of now that I’ve got a novel on sub. Then there’s always a short story on the boil. I take my time with these, and plan them quite thoroughly so I can make sure my layering is effective and I’ve threaded in all the subtexts I want.

Q. You’re an editor as well as a writer. Do you have a preference?

If I’m approached by a client, I’ll edit whatever’s thrown at me, though I prefer fantasy. I do the nearly annual South African HorrorFest Bloody Parchment anthologies, which are turning into a bit of an institution. But my preferences are for stories that are textured, lush and detailed, filled with nuance. I’m kinda old school that way. And it doesn’t matter the genre, so long as the author has grabbed me with his or her prose.

Q. What attracts you to editing the work of others? And is there any quality or skill etc that makes a good horror editor, specifically?

A good editor has an eye for story – and personal heroines for me include Jaym Gates, Ellen Datlow and Storm Constantine. You can’t make a silk purse from a sow’s ear, so a good editor will know *when* to pick up a decent story. Then of course comes the pruning and polishing. There are some basic gremlins that an editor should catch, without interfering with an author’s voice. It’s a delicate game, knowing when to insist and when to hold back.

Q. Who is your favourite woman writer?

Storm Constantine. No contest.

Q. Are there any projects involving other women that you’re looking forward to or would like to get on board with?

At some point I’d like to edit a themed collection of novellas or novelettes bundling my favourite authors. We’ve talked about this but until I finish with a few other projects, this is but a pipe dream.

Q. What book/s are you reading at present and what is in your TBR pile?

Too many! I’ve a history book by Sampie Terreblanche that’s quite … hefty. But then I’m busy with my reread of Robin Hobb’s Farseer Trilogy, which is making things all kinds of better. I’ve a pile of review books too… Which I’m horribly behind on.

Q. What challenges have you encountered that are unique to being a woman in the horror genre, or can you describe some of the challenges have you faced that are complicated by your gender?

I sometimes just get the feeling that women authors in genre fiction are often ignored by media. I’ll argue that there are as many women writing and getting published as men. So seeing equal attention paid to us along with the usual culprits would be nice.

Q. Why is Women in Horror month important/important to you?

We have a month (yay!) But seriously, exposure is good. Even if it means getting a special month set aside.

Q. What advice would you give to aspiring writers?

Write what you like. Read widely, and often outside of your genre. Critique other writers and have them offer critique to you. Never stop learning. Never stop revising. Submit often. Write every day if you can. Rinse and repeat. Oh, and grow rhino skin. Very, very thick rhino skin.

I haven’t posted for a while.I’m lazy, I’ve got kids, and I’ve been trying to get some stories out on submission and drum up another editing gig. These are all good reasons to not be blog posting. A good reason to be log posting is Women in Horror Month! WiHM is actually February, but the added benefit of me being lazy, is that March can now be WiHM too! YAY!

So many amazing women are doing cool things in horror. I like to think that they’re not overlooked or treated differently from male writers although I know this isn’t true. Aside from general issues relating to sexism that women face within the publishing industry (It exists, I’ve seen it first hand), they have to put up with a bizarre niche of misogynistic writers who feel that women can’t or shouldn’t write horror. I wasn’t really surprised when we had a number of idiots come out during WiHM and say bizarre and offensive things. Not only did we have an emerging author bullied and insulted, we had women in horror in general referred to as “hags” (amongst other offensive comments), and one well-known and respected author was derided as “over-rated”, “awful” and only successful because women like her and she has a large female readership (as though that is a bad thing).

These events were quite frustrating but I was heartened by the supportive response of the guys in the horror fiction community who spoke out against the few douchecanoes. I was also heartened by the response of many publishers who spoke out against this disgusting behaviour. Good on them. This raised the issue of publisher and editor blacklists, whether they exist, and how professional they are. Different people have different views on the matter but I think it is healthy that people are having a conversation about how to deal with issues of sexism, misogyny and general asshattery.

Many of the writers I know and respect most are female horror writers. Whether it is established authors such as talented and lovely Kaaron Warren, the amazing Angela Slatter, or emerging writers friends of mine such as Sarah Read or Karen Runge, there are some fantastically talented women writing in the horror genre who deserve the recognition they’re attracting and the awards that they’re receiving. I’ve learned a lot from them, both in the professional aspects of writing and in the art of storytelling. I aspire to be as capable and as successful as these women. I look forward to learning more from the women in our fiction writing community and collaborating with them. I look forward to reading their fantastic stories… many of which I find more confronting or terrifying than the work written by a lot of men, perhaps because the ladies are writing from a different place.

Below are a list of 10 writers, including publications where there work may be fonud. Most of the listed publications are horror although some of the authors write in multiple genres. Among their ranks are British Fantasy Award winners, Aurealis Award winners, World Fantasy Award winners and nominees, Shirley Jackson Award winners,— and others who, I’m sure, will be receiving similar accolades in the near future! I know some of these ladies personally and have had the pleasure of working with some of them. (The list is slightly biased towards Australian writers because I’m Australian and have gone out of my way to read some fiction by Australian authors.)

Angela Slatter – Sourdough and other stories (collection), The Bitterwood Bible and other recountings (collection), A Book of Horrors (anthology), Nightmare Magazine, The Spectral Book of Horror Stories (anthology), Weirder Shadows over Innsmouth (anthology).

As I send the Suspended in Dusk anthology off to James Roy Daley at Books of the Dead Press for publication, I think now is probably the right time to look back on the experience and see what lessons I learned. So I guess this post is as much for my benefit as it is for all you guys and gals. I think, ultimatley, these piece of advice are values based and really translate to anything in life.. or at least to writing and publishing generally. Editing a short story anthology was a truly educational experience for me and here is what I learnt.

1. Aim High

When I started this project, originally with my dear friend Nerine Dorman, I thought I’d see whether I could get a favourite author of Nerine’s (Angela Slatter) to submit a reprint story. I contacted Angela and told her about the project, told her how we’re great fans of her work. I then told her that it wasn’t a pro-paying market and that I understand if she’s not interested but I was wondering if she’d contribute a reprint. Well guess what? Angela offered to submit a BRAND NEW STORY. A brand new story from a British Fantasy Award winning author… in my anthology? No way?? YES WAY! ❤

This then lead me to think … “Well.. if I asked Angela nicely and she said yes.. what happens if I ask one of the other great authors I admire? The worst they can do is say no, right?” Wrong. The worst they can do is actually not even respond, which I did learn. But that’s cool. Some didn’t respond, some responded and said no for various reasons. And you know what..? Some said YES. Specfically… British Fantasy Award and Bram Stoker award winner Ramsey Campbell. Bram Stoker Award winner John Everson. Super disturbo writer, Shane McKenzie. Editor extraordinary and self-publishing powerhouse, Rayne Hall.

What a coup!! And how did I achieve it all? Aim high. Hell, go for the freaking throat, man. Just don’t sell yourself short or be all half-assed about it.

2. Connect. Network. Reach out.

I call this anthology a triumph of networking. Both classic and in the modern social media sense. The majority of the writers that I invited to this anthology were via Twitter. Twitter is an awesome place to meet other people and writers in particular. Don’t ask me why but they love Twitter.

In addition to Twitter, as discussed, I reached out to well known writers via email. For the most part it was via the contact section of their websites. Sometimes I even emailed their webmaster and nicely asked if they’d forward on a message to the writer. They did. This is how I met some writers who contributed stories and how I reached Jonathan Maberry who read and endorsed the anthology with kind words.

I also sent out a call through my local writing group, Canberra Speculative Fiction Guild, and to the Litreactor community and some of my writing friends I’d made during classes on the site. I was also able to approach one a writer who teaches at Litreactor through the site’s admin team and was able to ask them about writing an introduction to the anthology. Month’s later, they had a read of the final product and agreed and wrote a fantastic introduction. (can’t say yet who it is, but I’m super thrilled by this).

What was my secret? Read on, dear reader. It’s covered in the next point.

3. Be Gracious, and don’t be an ass!

One of the best piece of advice I’ve received.. succinct, to the point, and utterly true… was from Angela Slatter: Don’t be an ass. Whether it’s in life or in the publishing business, everyone appreciates basic courtesy and basic manners. If you’re going to approach someone and ask for something (especially an established or professional writer) … it’s you who is asking them. It’s you who wants something. They don’t owe you any favours. Hell, they probably don’t even know you. Be nice. Ask politely. Be friendly. Good manners don’t cost you a cent, sprinkle that shit around liberally. Don’t just ask nicely, thank people for their time. Everyone lives a hard life. Everyone has jobs and kids and obligations. These people are taking time out of their lives to work with you on your project. Nobody owes you anything. Be gracious. Say thanks.

4. Do your best work

without wanting to sound too preachy or pompous: Always do your best. When I started the project I felt like I was a little in over my head. So what did I do? I started the editing rounds and focused on what I knew I was good at or what I was most confident in. As I progressed, I polished up on my grammar, the elements of style (I even read The Elements of Style!), and tried to really hone my critical analysis skills and my understanding of story mechanics etc. In the subsequent rounds, I implemented this new knowledge and allowed myself a little more latitude to request developmental edits or to query writers on matters of style . Boy did it pay off. I’m a much better editor now. I’m much more confident with grammar. I’m much more confident and excited about editing my own fiction now. And I’m much more confident that I understand what makes a good story and my ability to assess that.

Moral of the story? Do your best. By really working your hardest and pushing the boundaries, you hone your existing skills and you open yourself up to new abilities and new vistas of awesomeness. Just do it.

4. Roll with the punches

When I started the Suspended in Dusk project, I originally intended to co-edit it with Nerine Dorman, who is one of the editors at Dark Continents Publishing. Nerine and Dark Continents were sadly unable to continue with the project and it all looked like it was done and dusted. By this point, however, I had already taken submissions from around 60 authors and was in the process of shortlisting and finalising the Table of Contents. I won’t lie.. this was crushing for me. Projects not going ahead are relatively common in the publishing industry.. but I felt like I’d come so far. Not only was I heavily emotionally invested in the project, I didn’t want to let all the authors down. Nor did I want the embarassment of going back to many of the well known industry veterans and saying “hey, sorry, shows off!”.

So what did I do? I pitched it to another publisher. And when they had a long look at it and decided to pass, what did I do? I pitched it to another bloody publisher.

The end result? Suspended in Dusk found itself a worthy home at Books of the Dead Press, a respected North American small press.

I can’t even begin to describe how satisfying and rewarding it is to have perseverance like that pay off. This is how PhD grads and olympic athletes and novelists must feel.

Wow. Just wow.

5. Persevere

There will be times that you look at your writing or the book your editing and think: “When will this end?” or “I’ll never finish this.” or “I can’t even focus my eyes anymore.. I’m blind! I”M BLIND!”

Ignore this. Take a break. Rest your eyes. Focus on your own writing for a while. Watch some TV or kick back with a friend. Get a friend to proof what you’ve done to prove you’re not going mad.

Do all of these things, but don’t give up. One of the great truths in life is this: After every hardship, there is ease. This truth is constant, no matter how morbid you want to get with it.

Eventually, things get better. You wake up more rested and the blurry words are clear. You have another read of the story and you capture the filter words you missed the first time. You get through the first round of edits and the second round is comparatively easy because you’ve torched all the really horrible grammar and its a pretty solid set of stories now.

You push, you keep on at it, you sink your teeth into the jugular for one last dogged shake. And in the end you know what? You’re done. It’s finished. Book complete. You win.

6. PARTY

Congratulations! You just finished writing your novel. You just finished editing your novel. You just finished editing your anthology or painting that piece of art you’v been toying with. Hell, maybe you finished cleaning your room and your mum is finally off your back. ENJOY IT. Celebrate. Read a book. Smoke a hookah pipe. Go out for a few drinks or paint the town red. You earned it. You’ve beaten the boss at the end. Achievement unlocked.